Lake and Wednesdays

Lake Day
This upcoming Saturday, May 30th will be our first lake day at Sunshine Pointe.  Start time is 1:00pm and we shall wrap things up around 7:00pm.  We will plan to eat around 4:30ish. Girls are to bring chips or some sort of side and guys are to bring canned drinks.  

Wednesday Nights this Summer
Through out the summer the teens will continue to get together on Wednesday nights for worship or fellowship.  However, when ever we are out of town as a group, we will not meet. For example, we will meet this upcoming Wednesday night but will not meet the following week as we will be at Knoxville Work Camp.  Below are the dates we will not be meeting.

June 3rd
June 24th
July 8th
July 22nd

Summer, Interns, Bash and Dates

Well, that glorious time of year we refer to as summertime is but a few days away.  I for one am pumped about what the next couple of months has in store for us.  We have a jam packed summer and I hope your teen can jump in where they can.  

One of the great things about summer is having interns to share that experience with us.  This summer Connor Gaines and Hunter Holland will be working with our group.  I have known both of them since they were in the 8th grade and I have no doubt they will do an outstanding job.  Connor is finishing his junior year at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, TN and Hunter is finishing her junior year at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  They will be arriving next week to start their time with us.

Welcome New 7th Graders and Their Families and Welcome Interns kick off the summer Blowout Bonanza Bash Cook-Out Extravaganza

I just don’t believe the summer can begin without the above mentioned event.  Fear not, it is in fact happening and is going down on Sunday, May 24th at 6:00pm. That’s right, we invite you and your entire family to come join us at the Cornerstone Retreat for a little Cook-out.  The Cornerstone Retreat is located just past Northside High School at:

21160 Max Vintson Rd, 

Northport, AL 35475.  

Now, I know that is a little ways out there but I think this place will be a great venue for a wonderful evening.  I do need a little help in some items being brought so if you would be willing to do so please let me know and Ill tell you what we need.  

Date Reminder

Over the next couple of months there will be a lot going on.  Below is a reminder of the big event dates.  Of course, there will be other things sprinkled in as we go and I will let you know those as we ease our way through.

Knoxville Workcamp - May 31 - June 4

Junior Impact - June 19-22

Senior Impact - June 22 - 27

Sneedville Mission - July 8 - 13

Camp - July 19-24

Lake Day Dates:

May 30th

June 13th

July 4th

August 1st

Retreat thought and a plea for assistance

Quick thought from our Retreat

I just wanted to take a minute to make a few comments about our retreat this past weekend.  As I walked away from our time together, there was one resounding feeling that continued to bounce around in my mind…. this group, I believe, is an exceptional group of teenagers.  There were seven Winshape Wilderness leaders that worked with our group through out the day on Saturday and almost all of them made it a point to come tell me how impressed they were with these kids.  Keep in mind that these people work with different groups week in and week out and it was evident to me that they saw something different in them that they didn't in most groups.  They talked about their maturity, how well they interacted with each other and the way they encouraged each other.  They listened, were always respectful and did what was asked of them with excitement and energy.   Not once did I hear a discouraging remark pointed at another person.     Beyond the obvious compliment to our teens is a compliment to you the parents…. after all, they are the product of your upbringing.  Ive worked with different groups over the years so I am fully aware that this is a great group.  This weekend was just a really good reminder to see others notice it as well.  

HELP!

As most of you have noticed, we have begun a little teen room/area renovation.  Now I know you have been sitting at home, possibly lying awake in bed at times thinking “I wonder how I can help?”  Well wonder no more….  Next Saturday, May 2, we are going to have a little work day to try and put a big dent in a very large project.  We are going to meet together at 9:00am to knock a few things out.  Don't miss the fun!!

Two Deadlines this Sunday.

Knoxville Work Camp - May 31-June 4 - Deadline is this Sunday April 17th

For those of you not familiar with Knoxville Work Camp, it is a week that several hundred teens break off into 18 to 20 different crews to tackle helping someone or an organization in need.  Last year was our first year to participate and it was an outstanding experience.

Cost is $50 (checks made payable to UCC and turned into me) and you can sign your teen up online HERE.  

IMPACT - Deadline is this Sunday April 17th

Junior IMPACT - (Current 6th-8th Grade) - June 19-22 - Full Cost $155

Senior IMPACT - (Current 9th-12th Grade) - June 22-27 - Full Cost $215

Submit application (printable application HERE) and a $25 deposit (checks made payable to UCC) by this Sunday April 17th.

Tiny retreat, Tassels and Important Deadlines

The Bridge Mini- Retreat

This upcoming Friday night we will be having a mini retreat for the Bridge group.  The idea here is that this will allow those kids in the 5th and 6th grade to be acclimated to the UY as they prepare to transition into the youth group in the next few months and year to come.  The UY leadership team has been in the process of planning this over night retreat but the entire youth group is invited to join us.  We will be gathering at Zidon Avisha at 4:00pm this upcoming Friday, April 3rd and the retreat will end at 2:00pm on Saturday.  There is no cost to attend but we do ask that your teen bring some sort of snack to throw into the snack buffet. Transportation will be the responsibility of those coming (Zidon Avisha is local at 11495 Malone Creek Rd, Elrod, AL). All they will need to bring is bedding, toiletries, and a change of clothes.  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  

Graduation Celebration Sunday

This year we will be celebrating our graduating seniors a bit earlier than usual.  On Sunday, April 12th there will be combined classes between our two services where we will recognize both the high school and college graduates.  Following second service, just our UY families will be gathering to have lunch together in the UCM room. We hope you can make it.

Summer Sign-ups

Well summer is upon us and I for one am beyond excited to get things rolling.  There are a couple of things that you need to go ahead and sign-up for if your teen is planning on attending.  

Knoxville Work Camp - May 31- June 4

Click the link below to register your teen and by below I mean under all this other info:

Sign up before April 19 = $50

Sign up after April 19 but before May 3 = $60

Absolute deadline is May 3

You can give checks to me, payable to UCC.

Online Registration HERE

IMPACT

Junior IMPACT - June 19-22 - Full Cost $155

Senior IMPACT - June 22-27 - Full Cost $215

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS APRIL 17th

Submit application (printable application HERE) and a $25 deposit to me by April 17th.  Or go ahead and pay in full if you're feeling crazy.  

Deadline for Spring Retreat

I have to submit final numbers to Winshape wilderness on Monday which means THIS SUNDAY is the deadline to sign-up for our spring retreat.  You can sign your teen up HERE if you have not already done so.  The cost is $80.  I will be out of town in Sneedville this Sunday so if you want you can just leave your payment in my box just outside the main office.  

Next Wednesday Night

Technically there are no church meetings next Wednesday night because of spring break. However, for those teens who are in town, we are going to plan to get together to just hang out. TBA on exactly what that will entail.  

Reiterations

Wednesday Time Change
As you may be aware, the church as a whole is changing the meeting time on Wednesday nights to 6:00pm and just to be clear, UY will make that change as well. 

Sneedville Mission
Deadline for sign-up is the Sunday March 8.  Again, cost is $40 and they can sign up by submitting those funds.

Spring Retreat
Sign up  is HERE.  Deadline is March 15.